This lecture examines whether the Neoplatonic explanation of evil can be seen as an antecedent of the Leibnizian metaphysics of evil, as is often claimed. The starting-point is Augustine’s distinction between “malum culpae” and “malum poenae”, to which Leibniz is indebted. The concept of metaphysical evil is needed to encompass instances of evil that do not fall under that distinction.
Carlos Steel is emeritus Professor for ancient and medieval philosophy at the University of Leuven. His main research is devoted to the study of the Platonic tradition from Plato to Ficino, with a particular emphasis on the philosophy of Proclus. He is also known for his critical editions and translations of ancient and medieval philosophical texts.
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